Clasp.



F. R. KENNEY.

CLASP.

APPLICATION FILED APILZB, 1913.

1,102,055, Patented June 30, 1914.

wi/tmeoow COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CO..\VASHINGTON. nv c.

entre STATES PATENT armor FRANK B. KENNEY, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

CLASP.

To all 107mm it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK R. KENNEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cambridge, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clasps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention comprehends improvements in clasps and relates more particularly to those especially adapted for use on neck chains and similar jewelry.

The primary object of the invention resides in the provision of a clasp of this nature, which shall be of extremely simple construction, cheap to manufacture, strong, durable, and very reliable.

A more specific object of the invention resides in the provision of a clasp or separable fastener embodying a rigid head adapted to be locked within a resilient socket by a rotary movement.

Vith these and other objects in view, as will become more apparent as the descrip tion proceeds, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

For a complete understanding of my in vention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a bead chain, embodying my invention, Fig. 2 is a view showing the clasp members disconnected, F 8 is a similar view taken on a plane at right angles to Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional View through my improved clasp, the head being shown in elevation, Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken upon the plane of line 7--7 of Fig. 1.

Referring in detail to the drawings by numerals, 1 designates a plurality of beads suitably connected to form a chain. The bead 2 which is adjacent one end of the chain, has formed integral with it a half head 3, having the inner wall 4:, which is formed with a transverse slot 5, having an enlarged central portion. Upon reference to Fig. 5, it will be seen that the Wall 4: of the hollow half bead 3 is doubly curved, having the inwardly extending portions 6, which form between them a recess, the pur pose of which will be hereinafter explained.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 28, 1913.

The head 7 adjacent the other end of the Patented June 30, 1914.

Serial No. 764,247.

chain has formed integral with it a half or semi-spherical bead 8, having the inner wall 9, formed with a central aperture through which projects a stud 10, said stud being fixed at its outer end to the semi-spherical wall of the bead 8. A head 11 is formed integral with the stud 10, has a curved outer edge, and squared inner shoulders 12, which terminate in spaced relationship to the wall 9. The head 11 is equal in length to the slot 5 and is of essentially the same width as said slot. It will be seen that the free ends of the chain may be easily and quickly locked. together by inserting the head 11 within the slot 5 and swinging the bead 7 and half head 8 so as to axially rotate the head 11 so as to bring the same at right angles to the slot 5. The rotation of the head will cause it to spring between the inwardly curved portion 6 of the wall 4 of the semi-spherical bead 3, where it will be securedly retained against accidental displacement. The beads 2 and 7, which are integral with the socket and head carrying portions, respectively, of the clasp, serve as handles so that the clasp may be easily locked and unlocked.

Attention is directed to the fact that the stud 10 being fixed at one end in the curved wall of the semi-spherical bead 8 and extending through the straight wall of said bead, is very firmly and rigidly supported. The straight wall engages the stud near the free end thereof, and acts as a very eflicient brace to prevent the stud being bent or twisted from engagement with the curved wall. The semi-spherical sprocket member is so shaped as to entirely conceal and profeet the head 11 and this is an important feature since it prevents the stud being seen when in its operative position and marring the artistic appearance of the clasp and also prevents the stud being bent or injured in any manner when thus positioned.

lVhile I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to these exact constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, but may make such changes as will fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is A clasp comprising a semi-spherical socket member having a double keyhole slot formed in the straight Wall thereof, a semi-spherimember and conforming to the shape of the cal head carrying member having a central interior thereof. 10 opening formed in the straight Wall thereof, In testimony whereof I affix my signature a stud rigidly secured at one end to the in presence of two Witnesses.

curved Wall of the head carrying member FRANK R. KENNEY. and extending through said central opening, Witnesses:

and a head formed upon the free end of said ROBERT B. VJETHERBEE,

stud, said head being received in the socket JOHN J. PENDOLEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

